The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-06-03
CONSTRUCTION OF WELLS.


4 Method which Commends Itself -
Farmers for Various Reasons. :.
Attention has often been called to the
importance of pure water for drinking
and other purposes by our scientific
friends who warn rs of the dire effects
of impure water. Water is often inn
pure when its impurity is not mistrust-
ed. Impurity is mainly caused by
drainage. A well acts rs drain in
proportion to its depth. Weknow that
the deeper the ditch the greater width
it will drain. When ditch is cut in
peaty soil water oozes into the ditch
from top to bottom. Unless it rains the
water ceases to come in at the top Of
the ditch. and this cessation continues
down as the water is exhausted. II a
ditch three feet deep drains the soil
from two rods On either side. a well
twenty feet deep would drain impuri-
tie, from much greater distance. The
water drained from great distance
would be well filtered. while that from
near the well would be more impure.
Typhoid fever and other kindred dis
eases have been spread by the drain
age into wells. Four years ago was
visiting in heavily-timbered country
with slightly rolling clay land. Cellars
could not be used unless sufficient
elevation could be had to allowed of
drainage. The roots in the ground con-
Quoted the surface water into cellars,
also into the wells to such an extent
that the water tasted badly. Stones
suitable for walling could not be had in
the vicinity.
The following plan was adopted upon
my advice. A shaft five feet square
was sunk to depth of six feet. In
this curb was placed so rs to leave
six inches between the curb and the
walls. This intervening space was
filled with small stones and water-lime
cement. This cement wall was then
plastered with water-lime. In the bot
tom of this square shaft round well.
little more than three feet in Diane
ter, was begun, and as it was sunk. two
coats of the water-lime cement were
put on the walls. Care was used to
make the joining between the square
and round parts of the wall water
tight with cement At twenty feet
deep sand was reached. and our we'll
digger said: 1.-The game is up" He
found, however. that he could dig one
foot and cement it, instead of taking
four feet at one time. The well was
continued until water was reached at
forty feet, in quicksand. A tub four
feet in depth was sunk. and a cement
connection made with its top to the &C.
ment wall. Plenty of good water has
been supplied ever since.
1.-THE frost would break the wallis"
it was said. as wells twenty feet deep
had been known to freeze over in the
vicinity. Two layers of twO-inch plank
were put over the top. and good
three-inch cylinder iron pump with one
and one-fourth inch gas pipe for tubing
was put in the well. A late examine
ton showed no failure whatev in the
Cement or in any part of the work. The
great care taken to prevent the effects
Of frost is not needed further south, or
where the well is in building. Where
there is less danger Of frosts the ce-
menting on the sides Of the well can be
commenced nearer the surface. Cir
cular brick or stones can be used in
stead of the grout where they can be
procured. Common sense teaches rs
that well constructed in this manner
must remain free from surrounding
impurities if twenty or moro feet deep.
Such wells would prove of great value
to all who get their water from wells.
Particularly in villages, and where
wells are near stables, is this plan
worthy of adoption. 1t commends
itself. not only for its intrinsic value
and purity of water, but also for
economy of construction.-E c. Cur
It's, in Prairie Farmer.